The March 24th, 2025 program for the Bulloch County Historical Society (BCHS) meeting was ‘Bulloch County’s 94 Post Offices', presented by our own Virginia Anne Franklin Waters, Executive Director of BCHS (2017-present).
Waters attended Statesboro High and Southeast Bulloch High School, studied Accountancy at the University of Georgia, and married Bill Waters, making their home at the Hideaway in Statesboro, Georgia. Through her involvement with BCHS, Waters has taken readers on historical ‘Journeys Back In Time,’ saluting the people and places that make Statesboro and Bulloch County a wonderful place to call home.
With 60 guests in attendance, the meeting wasn’t just about learning; it was an opportunity for the members to socialize, share stories, and connect over their collective memories. A delicious meal from “Touch of Class” by Annette made the event even more memorable, with a spread that included coleslaw, chopped beef barbecue, potato salad, green beans, sliced bread, decadent cheesecake for dessert, and a variety of beverages.
Waters’s presentation took the audience on a fascinating journey through the history of Bulloch County’s origins of the Post Offices, providing the attendees with a ‘deep dive’ into the historical significance of these locations.
The very first post office in Statesboro, established in 1823 by John Wise, played a crucial role in connecting the growing region. Maude Brannen Edge says the stagecoach on the River Road left the Statesboro mail at Ely Kennedy’s home, who put it in his pocket and brought it to Statesboro. He came on horseback to attend to his duties as clerk of court.
In 1846, an old postal guide listed Statesboro as the only post office in Bulloch County. Alan Waters was postmaster and oversaw the area’s mail service. In 1847, the second post office was established at Mill Ray, in the house of William A. Hodges, who was postmaster. Mill Ray was not a village but was the post office for the plantations on or near the Ogeechee River Road, especially in the vicinity of New Hope Methodist Church.
This role continued as the county expanded, and Statesboro became the hub for surrounding communities. Two other post offices established before the Civil War played a vital role in connecting the rural areas of Bulloch County. Bengal, founded in 1855, near Lower Lotts Creek Church, with Mr. Thomas as postmaster, served a growing community of plantations along the Ogeechee River.
The second post office, Wrights Bridge, was established in 1860 with Isaiah Hart as postmaster. However, it lasted only a year, illustrating the challenges faced by these early post offices. After the Civil War, the development of postal services in Bulloch County continued to grow, though some post offices were short-lived or changed names frequently due to economic challenges and population shifts.
The period between 1900-1930 was transformative for many of Bulloch County's post offices. The Great Depression had a profound impact in the region. Today, Statesboro remains the central hub for Bulloch County’s postal services, with modernized facilities handling the majority of mail.
Virginia Anne Waters’s historical presentation beautifully encapsulated how these early post offices represented not just a way to send mail but a vital lifeline to isolated communities.
BCHS's March meeting was a well-rounded blending of education, history, and community spirit.
